"...do you know if she was...raped...?"

"No...no, she wasn't- thank god. She's beat up pretty bad, she's suffered a lot of blood loss, but...she'll pull through. We've just got to make sure that nothing gets infected and she heals nicely. I'm...sorry...that this happened, sir. We're just lucky police arrived on the scene when they did."

There was a heavy sigh, "I just don't understand what the fuck happened to begin with."

"I can answer that for you, sir. Do you mind if we go somewhere private and talk?"

"I'm not leaving my daughter's side."

"Honey...it's okay. I'll stay here. Go listen to what the man has to say..."

Another sigh, "...Fine."

"Thank you, sir."

There was the sound of feet scuffling, a door opening and closing lightly. Consistent beeping ticked off in a slow rhythm. More footsteps walked about the room, pausing periodically.

"Do you need anything, ma'am?"

"No...I'm fine." A hand wrapped around hers, squeezing softly as the voice spoke up again, "How is...?"

Several beats passed in silence, "We don't know. They're still tending to his wounds, but he's barely hanging on by a thread. We'll be lucky if he makes it in the next 12 hours."

"Oh, no..."

Kakashi...?

Sakura stirred slowly, head rolling over to the side; greeted with an instant wave of nausea. Her stomach felt sour, her head was spinning, and she felt hot all over. Eyes cracked open lethargically, saliva rushing into her mouth at the same time she doubled over the bed; heaving loudly as bile came vomiting out. A woman was at her side, bracing her as Sakura continued to heave; her sinuses burning and her eyes watering. Each muscle contraction brought a fresh wave of sickness, each surge of acid burning a trail up and down her throat. Hands were on her back, rubbing soothing patterns as Sakura began to sob; the events of what she went through flooding her mind in an instant. The heart rate monitor began to beep faster, her heart thrumming in erratic beats as she sat up; struggling to get her bearings.

There was a nurse beside her, smiling at her sympathetically while to her left was her mom in a wheelchair; with casts and slings on, bandages on her wounds and an IV beside her. Her eyes were incredibly sad as she looked upon Sakura; worry etching her otherwise smooth complexion.

Mebuki squeezed Sakura's hand again, "Hi, blossom."

The nurse held out a cup of water with a straw in it, "Here, honey. Drink some of this. Your body is still in shock, plus the pain meds we gave you—you might be sick for just a little longer."

Sakura wordlessly took the cup, taking small sips as she tried to level her breathing.

All she could see in her head was Kakashi's throat getting slit—over and over and over again. All that played was the sound of his bloodied gurgling; filling her ears and causing her heartrate to spike wildly. All she could feel was hands assaulting her, a blade splitting her skin, and hot blood spilling over. The echo of Sota's laughter bouncing around in her head, his mocking screams as she cried out in pain. Her body hurt all over, she felt dried up and dehydrated.

The door opened, and Kizashi stepped in, followed by a man in a suit she didn't recognize. The moment her father caught her gaze, he quickly moved to the side of the med Mebuki was on; leaning over her and rubbing his hand on top of Sakura's head, "Are you okay, blossom?"

"I...I feel sick," Sakura rasped tiredly.

The nurse, who just finished cleaning where Sakura threw up, nodded knowingly, "You'll feel sick for awhile, I'm afraid. I'll keep a trash can just here for you, in case you feel like throwing up again."

The man stepped forward at the edge of the hospital bed, "Sakura, I'm detective Kaito. I'm sorry for what happened to you. If you don't mind," Kaito glanced around the room at everyone else in there, "I need to speak with Sakura—alone."

Kizashi snorted, "You're fucking high if you think-"

"Sir," Kaito decapitated coolly. "This is official police business. I have to speak with her alone. It'll take not fifteen minutes."

Mebuki glanced up at Kizashi, "Come on, honey. You heard the man."

Kizashi scowled at Kaito deeply before looking at Sakura, his expression softening, "We'll be just outside, blossom." He leaned forward, kissing Sakura on the forehead while Mebuki squeezed her hand again and smiled; Kizashi grabbing the handles of the wheelchair and slowly wheeling her out; the nurse holding the door open and following them.

The door closed with a soft click, and Kaito grabbed a chair by the window; dragging it to the right side of the bed and sitting down. He leaned back in the chair, pulling out a small notebook and pen while he spoke, "Sakura- I am terribly sorry you got wrapped up in all of this."

"Wrapped up is an understatement," Sakura replied huskily. "That man...he..."

Kaito nodded, "I know, Sakura. I know everything there is to know about 'that man.' You're incredibly lucky to be alive. The team did a great job showing up, bringing cops with them, our agents, and US agents. They pulled all the strings they could pull and then some."

"The team...you mean...?"

Kaito's eyes narrowed slightly, "Yes, that team. Ancient of Days. The Japanese Public Security Intelligence Agency has been working very closely with Ancient of Days since the seventies. This job having to do with...Sota...was a long and tedious job—for all of us involved. I personally know te in's and out's of the team because I've worked with them for over thirty years. I've been on the Yakuza case with them for twenty years. It's a never-ending job, but the team always manages to pull through what the agency can't for some reason. Again, this time around- I'm sorry you became a victim in all of this. I know Kakashi was doing his damnedest to-"

Sakura bolted forward, wincing in pain and eyes wide, "Kakashi. Where is he? What happened? What did they do with him?"

Kaito's brow twitched, though his expression remained the same, "He's alive, if that's what you're wondering...but barely, Sakura."

"What do you mean?" Sakura breathed, fear spiking along her chest.

"You don't remember?"

Sakura faltered, "I...I remember...seeing him get his throat slit. I remember seeing him on top of Sota...I remember holding him, but...nothing after that."

Kaito sighed, "That would be because you passed out due to blood loss. The team shows up, some of my agents and I show up, cops show up, and American agents show up. You and Kakashi both lost so much blood that when the paramedics arrived, they were sure both of you had died- and Kakashi did. When they got to you two, his heart was barely pumping. They got him into the van, his heart stopped. He was dead for about three minutes before they managed to get his heart going again. He's been out ever since. His wounds are tended to, but they estimate that he won't make it past 12 hours, Sakura. He was really beat up. Broken fingers, burns all over his body—his face cut up, four stab wounds, fatal gashes, busted face, his neck was swollen from being strangled—Sota and his men pulled all the stops. We're surprised he didn't die sooner. We're surprised he was even able to attack Sota the way he did."

Sakura shuddered at the name, her eyes watering at hearing everything that happed to Kakashi. She shook her head, tears welling, "S-Sota...is...is he...?"

"He's dead, Sakura. Kakashi made sure of that."

"Is he going to get in trouble for...for killing him?"

Kaito propped his forearms on his knees, "No, he's not. Sota was a man that—even if we really needed him alive—everyone wanted dead. I was able to chalk it up to self-defense for him, once I gave them the details of what happened to you two. Not to mention, some American agents around here owe me a couple favors, so we pulled some strings just to make sure he doesn't get in trouble."

Apart of Sakura wondered if she should be upset with the fact that Kakashi killed a man. Anyone else might have been upset, but she just couldn't muster the feeling. It didn't even scare her, if she was being honest. He was fighting for her, fighting to protect her and take down a monster that needed to be killed. Sure, the sight was gruesome and she knew it would take time for her to unsee it—but she was honestly grateful. Kakashi was a man of his word, and he told Sota over and over again that he was going to end him—and that's exactly what he did. He killed him, and no one cared even in the slightest. Everyone wanted him dead.

Sakura wanted him dead the moment she saw what they had done to Kakashi.
She wanted him dead when she watched the blade break skin across his throat, blood spurting out and coating the floor.

"Sakura," Kaito titled earnestly, breaking her out of her train of thought. "I hate to break it to you, but it's got to be said—chances are, Kakashi is going to die. Luckily Sota was sloppy with slitting his throat—he didn't hit any main arteries or jugulars. But, the man took on so much damage, he lost so much blood that even with the transfusion; he's barely hanging on."

Tears spilled over her cheeks as she shook her head back and forth, "I have to go see him. I can't stay here. Where is he? I have to go." Sakura leaned forward to move, flinching when she felt a sudden stabbing pain, and falling back onto the bed.

"I'm afraid that can't happen, Sakura. You're just as badly injured. You lost so much blood that you were just as close to death as he was. You are lucky to be alive and you should count your blessings."

"I don't want to be alive if Kakashi dies," Sakura sobbed, heaving and sniffing. Pain fluttered in the pit of her stomach, blooming across her chest, and causing her heart to hurt. She couldn't handle this. She couldn't handle hearing it, when she swore to god she saw him die in her arms. He died trying to protect her, and it fucking hurt. Guilt curled its claws into her mind, squeezing painfully and causing another sob to break through.

Kaito pat her shoulder tenderly, "I'm sorry, Sakura. I'm just relaying over what the doctors told me. I also need you to know that we've told your parents a different story."

Sakura glanced up, tears streaming down her face, "What?"

"Well," Kaito sighed, "we can't have them really knowing what's going on. As far as your parents know and the hospital staff knows—this was just a shitty run in with some bad people. We told them that they followed you two from the hospital to the hotel and attacked there. Crimes like this happen pretty often, so it's not unheard of. The last thing we want is your parents knowing you were involved in some heavy Yakuza happenings. You understand that your mother's wreck was Sota's doing—don't you?"

Sakura started, breath hitching as glassy emerald eyes bore into apologetic brown ones. "What did you say...?" She muttered, clutching her stomach. "Sota...he did that...?"

Kaito grimaced, "I'm afraid so. The team had one of his main men. They interrogated him and found out that all of this was a ploy to flush you out so he can get his hands on you."

"My mom..." Sakura whimpered, lip trembling as she tried to wrap her mind around the news. She raised her head, "So that means Sasuke...this was all his plan...?"

"Unfortunately, yes. As far as Sasuke goes—we've handled that. He filed a report to the police having to do with what happened to him in the hall, but I took care of all the details and talked with him personally—so don't worry, I made sure he doesn't say anything to your parents. I hate to hit you with all this information at once—especially now that you've woken up—but you need to know the truth. The team interrogated the man, and when they couldn't get ahold of you or Kakashi they flew right over. You're incredibly lucky. Had they waited any longer than they said they would—you would certainly be dead."

"Are they safe now?" Sakura immediately spat.

Kaito placed a hand on Sakura's upper arm, "Yes, Sakura. The team did a good job capturing his grunts, and with Sota out of the picture for good—that chapter is shut down. I'm sure you heard, but Sota wasn't really popular as far as the Yakuza head went—so it's not a loss for them and they'll continue their efforts with other things they've got planned. Tokyo is free of Sota and his goons."

"What about those two big men?" Sakura muttered anxiously.

At this, Kaito laughed, "You can thank the team for that one. Guy fucked one of them up senseless, and then two others got the other one in no time. My agency has them in custody and we'll deal with them. Don't worry—they'll be locked up forever, so you'll never have to worry about them again."

"That seems too good to be true," Sakura whispered, threading her fingers together. "I just can't believe it's over that easily."

"Well, believe it, Sakura. Once we get our hands on the men, it's over for good. The problem was getting our hands on them because they're so slippery. Even for the team, whose taken down boss after boss, had months and months of a hard time getting to them...If it makes you feel better, we're going to hold off on giving the team any Yakuza jobs for awhile. We think they could use a break to take care of their regualr jobs within Ancient of Days themselves. It'll be a good year or so before we recruit them for another job again. So, if Kakashi lives..." Kaito's brow furrowed, "...then you don't have to worry about that any more. I understand there's something going on between you two—right?"

Sakura's face fell, "Yeah...yeah, there is."

Kaito nodded knowingly, "I see. Do me a favor—don't hold any of this against Kakashi. I've worked with him for a long time, and he's not this murdering monster- I promise. He was just fighting-"

"Fighting for me," Sakura muttered guiltily. "I know...and I don't blame him, or whatever. I understand."

"Don't be hard on yourself, either. None of this is your fault—you are a victim. Sota was a sick, sick man who set his sights on you. Kakashi and the team did everything in their power to keep you as safe as possible—you've just got to realize that Sota was a very sick, slippery guy. He was as cunning as he was dangerous. Between you and me, I'm glad the fucker's dead."

"I am too," Sakura replied, glancing down at her hands. "Where is everyone? Did the whole team fly here?"

Kaito rubbed his stubbled jaw, "No, not all of them. Neji, Shino, Guy, Lee, Kiba, and Shikamaru. I think they're all in either the waiting room or Kakashi's room."

"Whose Guy?"

Kaito chuckled, "He looks almost exactly like Lee. He's apart of Ancient of Days, just another Tokyo chapter."

Sakura wiped away a tear, "What room is Kakashi in?"

Kaito shook his head, "Just a couple rooms down from here, I think. I haven't seen him, yet. I've been talking with the doctors, your parents, more agents..." He sighed, "I hate the details of this job, but it's got to be done. We're sewing everything up so the media doesn't get ahold of this either. Now," Kaito glanced down at his watch. "I've got to go. More business to attend to."

"You're not upset about Kakashi..?" Sakura pressed, biting the inside of her cheek to keep from crying.

Kaito's eyes grew soft, a low, blowing out a heavy gust of air, "I'm just as upset as you are, Sakura. I've known him since he was a kid- I've worked with his dad. The team means a lot to me, as I'm sure they mean a lot to you. Now you rest." He pat her hand, smiling sadly before exiting the room quietly.

Not five minutes passed before her parents came back in; Kizashi wheeling in her mom. They halted at her left side, eyes wide with concern as they gazed upon her. Kizashi leaned in, planting a small kiss on the side of her head; Mebuki holding her hand tenderly while Sakura tried her hardest to collect herself. For some reason, she didn't want her parents to see her break. She knew it would only stress them out more. She wanted to be strong, like Kakashi was. She wanted to grit her teeth and bear it, like he did. She was overwhelmed. She felt guilty. She felt sick. She wanted to be strong. But the more she thought about losing him, the more it hurt. They sat there in silence; Sakura's parents comforting her sweetly as she cried herself to sleep.

At some point, Sakura woke up to her parents shuffling out of the way as a nurse came in to check her vitals and replace the IV bag. The nurses muttering something to her parents about it being okay if they wanted to leave—that Sakura would be out for the rest of the night because of the meds. Sakura wasn't sure; she was pretty drugged up at the moment. Her father kissed her forehead goodnight, and her mother whispered that she loved her and she'd see her in the morning. Sakura fell back asleep after that, though she wasn't having the best time sleeping, either. Each time she passed out, she succumbed to nightmares of Kakashi dying—and each time she woke up, she'd tell herself she was going to get up to go see him, only to doze back off again. She couldn't fight the sleep the medicine gave her, and she hated it.
She has had enough with being drugged.

The next time Sakura woke up, it was to the sound of someone trying to cough quietly. She squinted her eyes, trying to make sense of the form that sat on the couch in the corner of the room.

"Kiba...?" She called, the slightest hint of fear spiking instantly.

The figure stood, coming into clear view, "Yeah, Sakura. It's me."

Sakura breathed a sigh of relief, "Oh, good..."

Kiba stood by the right side of the bed, frowning down on her, "How are you feeling, Sakura?"

Sakura slowly plucked a shoulder, "Sick and tired. My body hurts pretty bad."

"Well, you took a fucking beating, Sakura..."

"Kiba..." Sakura began, a fresh wave of emotion hitting her like a monsoon. "Thank you fo-"

Kiba held up a hand, "No, Sakura. Don't thank us. We fucked up royally. Had we been on top of things like Kakashi was bitching at us to, things could have been different."

Sakura shook her head, "I don't think so, Kiba. With the way Sota was...I just...I don't think so. All I can say is thank you for doing everything you did. Kakashi and I wouldn't be here if..." Sakura paused, choking on her words and trembling, the thought of Kakashi not being here overwhelming her.

"Sakura..." Kiba titled, reaching out to grab her hand.

Sakura squeezed her eyes shut, shaking her head back and forth; tears shaking away as she did. She bit down on her lip hard, heaving a cry so heavy that it echoed in the room. She began to sob uncontrollably, crying so hard it made her throat and chest hurt. She tried to reel herself in, but she couldn't. She told herself crying in front of Kiba was humiliating—but she didn't care. Having him there felt comfortable, and she had been trying so hard to contain her emotions that they were exploding out of her now; pouring over and unending. Kiba remained still by her side; holding her hand tightly and rubbing his other hand across her shoulders in a manner that she never saw Kiba behave in before. Each sob caused her wounds to sting, which made her flinch each time. She tried to hide her face, but even hunching over hurt too much. All she could do was sob and let it happen.

Sakura wiped at her face furiously, hiccupping as she spoke, "Hav-have you s-seen Kakash-shi?"

Kiba nodded slowly, "Yeah, I have. He's just three rooms down from you, actually. I'm not supposed to be in here, but I just had to see you Sakura. I just had to make sure you're okay..."

Sakura shook her head, "I'm not okay, Kiba. I can't be okay knowing that they're giving him 12 hours."

Kiba's brow twitched down in an angry grimace, "Fuck those doctors, Sakura—they don't know shit. Kakashi is strong, he'll pull through."

"Don't just say things to try to make me feel better," Sakura remarked sadly. "Tell me the truth. How does he look?"

Kiba scoffed, "I am telling you the truth. I'll be honest, he doesn't look great. But I've seen him like this before—and he pulled through. I know he'll make it, Sakura. No doctor can convince me otherwise."

Sakura tried to sit up, gritting her teeth past the pain, "Take me to see him."

"No way, Sakura. You're in no position to be walking around right now."

Sakura turned her gaze to Kiba's, emerald eyes pleading, "Please, Kiba. I can't stand to not see him. I have to be beside him. Especially if..."

Kiba shook his head, "Don't talk like that. Have faith in the guy—he's made it out of much worse."

"How can you say that?" Sakura rebutted sharply. "His throat was slit. I watched it happen before my very eyes."

Kiba's expression softened, "Just trust me, Sakura. I've seen the guy go through worse and come out of it. Sure, according to the doctors the odds are grim—but he's always been a lucky guy. Even if it's been by the skin of his teeth, he's pulled through."

"Don't get my hopes up," Sakura whimpered, blinking when Kiba's hand came up to wipe away a tear.

"Sakura," He began, shaking his head. "I care for you a lot like I care for my sister. I love you the way I love Kakashi—the whole team does. I wouldn't be saying this if I didn't think it was true. I get that you trust doctors more because you work in the medical field, but I've been around Kakashi long enough to know the guy in and out. He's never not pulled through. I'm not saying this to make you feel better because, you know me enough by now to know that I don't tip toe around the fucking tulips. Like I said, have faith in the guy."

Sakura sniffed, "I hope you're right, Kiba...I can't stand to lose him."

"Neither could I, Sakura."

"Take me to him."

Kiba blinked, "Uh...what?"

Slowly, Sakura began to try to pull herself off of the bed; grunting in pain and hissing between her teeth as she moved. Kiba placed his hands on her shoulders, scowling at her, "Sakura, you're not supposed to be moving around. You need your rest, you need-"

"Fuck rest," Sakura mumbled, swiveling her legs over the edge of the bed. "I have to see him. Either you help me, or don't- I'm still going to go see him."

Kiba sighed heavily, "You're a fucking bully, Sakura. You're more stubborn than a fucking donkey, I swear to god."

Sakura paused, holding her hand out to Kiba; eyes pleading. "Please," she whispered. "Take me to him."

Kiba glanced at her hand for several seconds before cussing under his breath and shaking his head; hand coming out to clasp with hers, "Fine. But if the doctors say some shit, I'm blaming you."

"Blame away," Sakura murmured, groaning in pain when Kiba carefully pulled her off the bed and steadied her. She wobbled slightly, the muscles in her legs screaming along with the gauze covered wounds on the inside of her thighs. "Grab that pole with the IV bags; there's wheels on the bottom—it'll have to come with us."

"What about your heart monitor?" Kiba asked, glancing around as he walked towards the pole.

"Unplug it," Sakura answered uneasily, her face crumbled in pain.

"Sakura, I'm not-"

"Kiba, just- please. Unplug it."

Kiba huffed, "Fine. Just to let you know, I'm kicking your ass when you're healed up for being such a bully to me."

"I'll look forward to it," Sakura replied, placing her hand on Kiba's shoulder and taking a slow, deliberate step; pushing past the pain as best as she could.

"Uuuh- Sakura...Not to be a creep, but the back of your gown is open. I can literally see your ass," Kiba enunciated clearly, turning is gaze and scratching the back of his head.

"Oh," Sakura breathed, pausing to try to reach around to tie them and giving out a small wail when the wounds under her breasts twitched; causing a sharp stabbing pain.

"Fuck me," Kiba grumbled, gently moving her hands away and starting to tie together the strings on the back of her gown. "Don't say I never did nothin' for you."

"Thank you, Kiba," Sakura mumbled, grabbing back onto his shoulder and letting him slowly guide her out of the room and down the hall.

Each step she took was painstakingly gruesome. She could feel her stitched wounds stretching, stabbing, burning, and stinging. Even if she took in too deep of a breath; it hurt. She had to wobble, to keep pressure off the inside of her thighs as much as possible. She did her best to mask the pain so Kiba wouldn't change his mind and try to take her back. She did her best to be quiet as possible, so the nurses wouldn't come around and stop them. Kiba carefully lead the way, pausing at the third door away from her room and opening the door.

Light poured in, and Sakura saw a small group of people in the room—realizing it was the guys from the team. Guy, Lee, and Neji were sat on the couch, Shikamaru was sitting in a chair, and Shino was standing in a corner of the room; hands stuffed in his pockets. The curtain was pulled halfway around; hiding Kakashi and the bed. As Kiba gingerly brought Sakura in, eyes flashed and they all stood up. She watched their expressions; stress, pity, and concern etched across their features.

Shino was the first to speak up, "Sakura...you know you're supposed to be resting."

Kiba scoffed behind her, rolling the IV close to her, "Yeah, well good luck trying to convince her any different. She bullied me into taking her here."

"I'm sorry about your jacket, Shino," Sakura muttered, remembering that he hung his jacket around her naked, bloody body.

Shino shrugged, "It's just a jacket. I can always get another. What matters is that you really should get back to your room and rest—Kakashi will still be here when-"

"Shino, I know you mean well—but please, save it," Sakura decapitated tiredly. "I want to be in here with him."

Shino and Shika shared a glance, and Shika sighed; plucking his shoulder and narrowing his eyes at Sakura, "You're such a pain in the ass...at any rate, I'm just going to say it: I don't think you should see Kakashi right now...he looks pretty rough."

Sakura raised her chin defiantly, "I can handle it."

Lee stood, walking over to Sakura and taking her hand in his, "Sakura- I am so sorry for what happened. I wish we could have-"

"Lee," Sakura remarked softly. "You don't need to apologize. None of you do," she glanced around the room at the collection of concerned expressions. "You saved us."

Lee frowned deeply, "You heard about Kakashi...right?"

"He'll pull through," Kiba grunted, placing a hand on Sakura's shoulder and guiding her to the chair Shika was sitting in. Sakura took a step forward, hissing at the sharp stabbing pain she felt between her hips; doubling over and moaning darkly. The men circled her, hands out—unsure of what to do. Sakura tried to straighten, but only pulled more at her wounds; lamenting again.

"I told you this was a bad idea," Kiba remarked, his tone stressed. "I'm going to go get a nurse."

"No," Sakura snapped softly, sluggishly rolling up her spine and setting her teeth. "I'm okay. Just...let me sit down."

Shika turned, pulling out a chair and setting it down behind the curtain. He gestured with his fingers for Lee to bring her over. Little by little, Sakura made her way over while Kiba followed close behind with the IV. The closer she got, the more she began to see Kakashi. It started with his feet, going up to blanketed long legs, up a gown covered torso...Sakura couldn't help the gasp that rose from her throat.

It was just as Kaito said.

He had gauze covered burn marks up and down his arms, with long strips of bloodied gauze on his torso. His neck was shades of purple and blue, he had small braces for his broken fingers, and a thick strip of taped gauze where his neck was slit—just the tiniest hint of blood leaking out. His face was almost completely covered in gauze—wrapped around his head and covering the right eye, leaving just the left to be seen. His lip was busted, there was multicolored bruising all over his face. Once she was on the right side of the bed, she carefully lowered herself in the chair, eyes never leaving Kakashi's gauze-covered face. His free eye was closed, his breathing was too slow for her liking, and his heart-rate dull.

Sakura glanced up at Kiba, "Can you do me a favor?"

Kiba deadpanned, "I mean I've already broken one rule for you—what's one more?"

"This is going to sound weird, but can you lift up his gown?"

Kiba's jaw went slack, "Uh...no?"

Sakura sighed, "It's not like that. I just want to see the damage he took on his torso—but I can't really reach over to pull it up."

Kiba glanced around briefly, "Is there a reason you need to see that?"

"I just need to see it for myself. It'll help me feel better if I can gauge how bad it is for myself."

"Sakura, he's probably butt naked in that thing—the last thing I want to do is see his dick or touch it by accident."

"I'll do it," Shino muttered, cutting his way in front of Kiba and reaching to bunch the gown up. "I get it, Sakura. It's better to know for yourself. I'm the same way."

"So...you're both pervs—is that what I'm gathering?" Kiba mused, going to stand by Lee's side.

Shino, even with his shades on, cast Kiba a withering glance before having the gown bunched all the way up to Kakashi's chin; revealing the plethora of dark, nasty bruises that spread all over Kakashi's torso. Most were centered in his gut, where he had been punched the most. Others blossomed like sickening flowers across his chest, specked with other gauze covered gashes they had caused him.

"The doctor said that he broke a rib, too," Shino muttered, not tearing his gaze away from the disheartening bruising.

Sakura frowned, her face growing hot and tears beginning to slip their way down her face; small hands reaching forward as far as she could go to gently brush against the tender flesh. Sakura was sure she was covered in bruises, too. She could feel them all over her body, on her stomach, her breasts, and in between her legs on her inner thighs. She was even sure she had bruising on her face from how often and how hard they slapped her. They both looked awful, and she didn't blame the men for taking precaution or even warning Sakura he looked bad.

Because, he looked really bad.

His face was ashen; his lips pale. There was no life to his expression. She used to love falling asleep to his slow breathing, but now she found it haunting. She wanted to kiss his bruises away. She wanted him to be healed, happy, and healthy. Instead, he was suffering and in pain. He was teetering between life and death; and there was nothing she could do about it. She couldn't save him, she couldn't help him. Without even realizing it, a soft cry erupted deep from within her chest; fresh tears streaming down her face as she gently felt around his bruises, her touches fleeting. She closed her eyes, crying heavily and wishing there was more she could do.

To her side came a very hoarse, subtle voice, "Are you...trying to molest me...?"

Sakura's eyes snapped open, greeted with the lethargic gaze of an onyx one. She gasped, crying even harder as she uttered out, "Kakashi!"